News
REPORT | Blues defeated in Championship opener
Bedford Blues suffered defeat on Championship opening night as they were edged out 26-18 by old rivals Coventry.
It was a contest where Mike Rayer's side showed in glimpses what they had been working so hard on during pre-season, but ultimately ill-discipline in critical areas of the field proved costly as Bedford's disappointing record at Butts Park Arena continued.
Speaking immediately after the final whistle, Dean Adamson said: "We've got to go back to the drawing board on Monday. That's the beauty of the start of the new season, we've got time to put things right, we'll regroup and go again against London Scottish next week.
"That wasn't the way Bedford should play and we need to sort it out."
Blues couldn't have started any better as they opened the scoring within 30 seconds. Coventry lost possession in their own half cheaply from kick-off, Bedford recycled the ball and sent Adamson away to score his 103rd try for the club.
It was fairly obvious after their success with it last year, that Coventry would implement their driving maul when they could. It was more about whether Bedford could prevent giving them the opportunity but the penalty count started early and allowed them to use their best weapon right from the early exchanges.
A total of 22 penalties were conceded by Rayer's side throughout the contest, a healthy number of which in the five minutes before the interval where, on reflection, the game was lost in that period of play.
First, Alex Woolford was sent to the sin bin for an infringement at the maul, then Blues were dealt a double blow as Coventry were awarded a penalty try with the final passage of play and were sent down to 13 as Jacob Fields was also shown yellow.
That made proceedings 14-8 to the hosts at the break who had scored previously in the half through their captain, Jordon Poole, while Will Maisey had nailed a superb 40m penalty in Bedford's other points.
With the scores so close at that stage, you felt if Blues could weather the storm and get back up to a full compliment, then they had every opportunity. But Coventry found a way to breach the line again, as Poole got his second.
Blues were back to 15 and defending all the time and Coventry struck the decisive blow just after the hour as they secured the bonus point when Suva Ma'asi charged to the line.
You have to give Rayer's side credit for fighting back but it never looked like the game was going to be changed in terms of the result despite Alex Woolford and Jack Hughes adding further scores.
Ultimately disappointment on the opening day then with an opportunity to put things right when London Scottish head to Goldington Road on Saturday 17th September. Buy your tickets here as we host a Family Fun Day!
*Matchday Photography by Kie Fewster - kiefewster.pixieset.com*
Teams
BEDFORD BLUES
15. Matt Worley, 14. Seán French (60'), 13. James Little, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (58'), 9. Alex Day (C) (58'); 1. Joey Conway (67'), 2. Jacob Fields (52'), 3. Corrie Barrett (54'), 4. Jordan Onojaife (50'), 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Ollie Newman (64'), 7. Charles Rylands, 8. Jac Arthur
Replacements
16. Jack Hughes (52'), 17. Monty Royston (67'), 18. George Kloska (54'), 19. Robin Williams (50'), 20. Aaron Tull (64'), 21. Jake Garside (58'), 22. Louis Grimoldby (58'), 23. Pat Tapley (60')
COVENTRY
15. Louis Brown, 14. Will Talbot-Davies, 13. Will Wand (60'), 12. Lucas Titherington, 11. James Martin, 10. Pat Pellegrini (67'), 9. Will Lane (65'); 1. Toby Trinder (62'), 2. Jordon Poole (C) (62'), 3. Harry Seward (62'), 4. James Tyas, 5. George Smith (62'), 6. Senitiki Nayalo (52'), 7. Josh Bainbridge, 8. Fred Betteridge
Replacements:
16. Will Biggs (62'), 17. Danny Southworth (62'), 18. Ollie Andrews (62'), 19. Suva Ma'asi (62'), 20. Tom Ball (52'), 21. Fin Ogden (65'), 22. Evan Mitchell (67'), 23. Shea Cornish (60')
REFEREE
Harry Walbaum
ATTENDANCE
2,114
